Parks and rec commission meets with tennis group

The commission recently tabled an agenda item of starting a fee for scheduled tournaments, practices and other matches at the city's tennis courts.

Leigh Hahn-Kreimeier @SDL_Leigh

Stuttgart Parks and Recreation Department Athletic Director Cole Sherman will be working with Teri King, of iConcepts Tennis, to set up communication between the organization and the parks department.

The commission recently tabled an agenda item of starting a fee for scheduled tournaments, practices and other matches at the city's tennis courts. Stuttgart's tennis courts are located John Cain Park, near the John Cain Park Aquatic Center off Seventh Street. Commission members discussed the issue as a way to bring in revenue for upkeep of the facilities and as a way to ensure courts are being made available to the general public.

King, along with other league tennis players, spoke to the commission about money they have spent to upgrade the tennis courts. According to King approximately $5,000 has been spent in purchasing windscreens, straps, nets and other items at the courts.

Stuttgart Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Jay Coker said department has usage fees for every other sports facility. This allows the income to be spent on inevitable repairs.

King said as far as she is aware the city, at this point, cuts the weeds around the courts and "somewhat" cleans the courts. She explained that a light bulb has been out for some time and a fence at the facility was damaged during a recent storm and needs to be repaired before it damages the courts. She said the group was making necessary repairs, but has since stopped.

Stuttgart Parks and Recreation Director Austin Hayes said the city is on a spending freeze and at this point the money available is from the Stuttgart Improvements Bond, but bond money has certain stipulations. Bond money cannot be spent on repairs, but only on new items or new construction. Hayes says the department at this point does not have the funds for the upkeep on the courts.

Enter the usage fee. According to Hayes this would be the perfect solution. During a prior commission meeting Hayes and Sherman told the group they found no other cities in Arkansas, during their research, to base their fees. They are starting from scratch.

They want to make sure they are compliant as there are no other cities in the state that set a precedent when it comes to renting tennis courts.

The commission discussed a $10 per court per hour fee for scheduled practices or lessons and a $150 per day fee for scheduled tournament matches. The matter was turned over to Stuttgart City Attorney Malcolm Smith who will look further into the legalities of the issue. The item was tabled during the Oct. 8 meeting to be discussed further at the next meeting.

The commission met Tuesday for a specially called meeting to discuss the 2014 budget. Members of iConcepts were in attendance.

"As courtesy to you guys — we can't take any action — but we can discuss this. We don't have a clear view of what iConcepts tennis wants," Coker said to the group allowing them time to speak after the meeting was adjourned.

Coker then asked for Sherman to discuss the issue further with King and come back to the commission on the two groups' work together. Coker said he wants the courts to be beneficial to both groups, along with the general public. He also asked for King to discuss the needed repairs with Sherman so that the commission can come up with a possible solution and get the items fixed.

"Once you get the information on improvements and user fees then come back to us," Coker said.

In other business:

• The commission approved a $232,000 2014 budget that will now be submitted to the Stuttgart Finance Officer Jane Jackson. "We have a zero balance, which I am told is the goal. We did the math and came up with what we thought was realistic," Hayes said. The department intends to add a soccer league in 2014, which was reflected in the budget. A more in depth look at each department's budget will be featured in December editions of the Stuttgart Daily Leader.

• A little mix up came with the commission's interest in purchasing Harmon Field from the Stuttgart School District. Hayes sent the bid to Smith to look over for legalities. Smith was supposed to send the bid back to the commission, but it was sent to the Stuttgart School Board instead. The school board discussed and tabled the issue. So Hayes asked Tuesday for the commission to approve the bid, if that was still their interest. If not he would need to contact the school. The commission approved the bid. Look to the Daily Leader for an article on the Stuttgart Parks and Recreation Department's plans for Harmon Field should the purchase be approved.

• The commission voted to suspend a flag football coach during executive session. "An issue came up, we had an incident last night that we need to discuss," Coker said before the group reconvened in executive session. The commission made a motion to suspend the coach and allow the assistant coach, and other parents, to finish coaching for the remainder of the season.